Hasta La Motion!

Do you think that the animation world has become too dependent on CG? Is Animation entirely created on computer without using physical props? Ironically, this notion was proved wrong by production designer and art director, Sabu Cyril at the Animation Masters Summit 2016, Trivandrum, Kerala.

“We can create everything physically to a certain extent and then let CG artists do their work of adding visual effects and enhancing the shot. Realistic creations have a different feel and texture altogether therefore at least the base of the props should be created physically,” claimed Sabu Cyril.

Having worked on the production and art design of various feature films like Baahubali, Robot, Ra.One, Krrish 3, Om Shanti Om and various other projects, Sabu Cyril has redefined the use of CG in animation and complete dependence on it. He has helmed various projects where he has physically created all kinds of props like sharks, elephants, horses, lions, palaces, towers, streets, cars, weapons, ornaments, costumes and large background elements.

Production and Art director, Sabu Cyril

“In my first project, I physically created a 13 feet shark which had to enter the real water and look quite realistic. I created it with simple materials and used a motor to make it float in water. And, it worked well and the producers couldn’t believe that it was artificial,” he recollected.

He created about a thousand of carbon fibre swords for the film Baahubali as carbon fibre was light in weight and looked just like steel. The huge elephant and horses were created by him and then placed on movable motors to induce mobility. “The CG horse or elephant could not give the exact movements nor could a real horse, so I created an artificial one and moved it with a motor,” said Sabu.

For Robot or Enthiran, he created two life size lions with minimum cost and perfect feel. While, for Om Shanti Om, Sabu designed the entire set of the whole palace that gets burnt in one of the scenes of the film.

“I rely on CG animation to create the extra effects therefore, filmmaking becomes fun as I get to experiment with a lot of stuff,” concluded Sabu Cyril.

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